Iran stands by unified Iraq: Rouhani

At a Sunday meeting with Nechirvan Barzani, the prime minister of Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), President Hasan Rouhani stressed, “all regional countries and ethnicities are duty-bound to defend a federal administration and help secure border demarcations in the region.”
“Indisputably, extra-regional powers and forces do not and will not feel any sympathy for people of the region,” said the Iranian chief executive.

The president pointed to attempts by foreigners at destabilizing the region and rendering it insecure, and emphasized regional cooperation to counter the push.

“Extra-regional powers and forces only think about achieving their own long-term goals,” he added.
The chief executive also asserted that all regional ethnicities, including the Iraqi Kurds, should exercise their rights within the framework of their respective countries' constitutions and territorial integrity.

Barzani, in turn, said that Iraqi Kurds want a “unified Iraq,” agreeing all sides should remain committed to the Arab country’s constitution and pursue their demands through legal channels.

In September 2016, the KRG defied stern warnings from Baghdad and several other states, and held the referendum on separation from mainland Iraq. Kurdish officials said a majority of people had voted ‘Yes’ to secession.

Israel was the only foreign entity that voiced support for the secessionist push.
In response, the central government adopted a series of bans against Erbil, saying the Kurds should meet certain conditions in exchange for the restrictions to be lifted.

Iran cooperated with Baghdad after the referendum by shutting down its crossings with the Kurdish region. Tehran later reopened those crossings after Erbil chose dialog and cooperation with Baghdad.

/SR